Aliso Viejo encompasses about 6 square miles and is situated at the southern end of the county. The community includes a balance of attractive residential neighborhoods, parks, recreation, award-winning schools and community facilities as well as abundant business, office and retail. The City also enjoys access to the Orange County trail system. Wood Canyon Wilderness Park is home to many rare and endangered plans and animals, along with mature oaks, sycamore and elderberry trees and year-round streams. More than 30 miles of interconnecting trails are suitable for hiking, equestrians and mountain bikes. Residents enjoy the added benefit of trails that connect to Laguna Beach, Dana Point and the Santa Ana mountains.

Aliso Viejo is conveniently located less than 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean; less than 9 miles from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano and less than 25 miles from the infamous Disneyland. International air travel is just an hour away; while Orange County’s local domestic airport is less than 15 minutes away. And, of course, the 73 Toll Road is literally at Aliso Viejo’s doorstep.
Commercial and passenger rail services are provided by Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Co., Metrolink and Amtrak lines.

The City of Aliso Viejo is a council/manager form of government. Legislative power is held by the publicly-elected five-member City Council. Council members are elected at-large for alternating four-year terms, with elections in November of even-numbered years. Every year in December, Council members select the mayor and mayor pro tem. The mayor presides over City Council meetings, signs official documents and performs ceremonial functions. As the Legislative Branch of Municipal Government, the City Council adopts laws and makes policy decisions for the City.

The City Council meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. City Hall is located across the street from the Orange County Sheriff’s Substation and around the corner from the Aliso Viejo Library. Council meetings are open to the public, and agendas are available by calling the City Clerk’s office at 949-425-2505 or by visiting the City’s Web site at www.cityofalisoviejo.com.

Population. There are roughly 18,354 households representing 44,833 people. In 2007, the projected population was estimated to reach 48,000.

Community Services and Facilities. Residents are served by the Capistrano Unified School District, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, and numerous private schools. Aliso Viejo is also served by SOKA University and the South Orange County Community College District.

Hospitals serving the area include Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in neighboring Laguna Hills; CHOC and Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo; and Hoag Health Center in Aliso Viejo. The City’s Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center is located at Iglesia Park.

Utilities. Utility services are provided to Aliso Viejo residents and businesses by Sempra Energy Utilities (San Diego Gas & Electric and The Gas Company); Southern California Edison (electric); Moulton Niguel Water District (water); El Toro Water District (water); Southern Pacific Bell (telecommunications); and Cox Communication (telecommunications).